tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512607099126623086.post2221340678050211363..comments2017-01-15T18:30:54.694-08:00Comments on Know Hope Know Growth: What We KeepCarol Fragale Brillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02832865888789761328noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512607099126623086.post-15056384333956331452015-08-29T04:36:33.940-07:002015-08-29T04:36:33.940-07:00Chris, I think you nailed it that the things we ke...Chris, I think you nailed it that the things we keep have meaning-even if we can&#39;t describe exactly what that is. That you know Bernie wouldn&#39;t part with that jacket makes it very special to keep. Carol Fragale Brillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02832865888789761328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512607099126623086.post-71835489650870484932015-08-29T04:07:58.814-07:002015-08-29T04:07:58.814-07:00Carol, I am a pretty efficient purger of flotsam a...Carol, I am a pretty efficient purger of flotsam and jetsam that we accumulate in our lives. About six months ago, I read that best seller &quot;The life-changing magic of tidying up,&quot; and followed the author&#39;s prescription to get rid of everything that did not bring me joy (well almost). My sock drawer still looks tidy as does my closet. (Haven&#39;t gotten to my office or my spice shelf yet.)<br /><br />Anyway, I was following her strict rules until we cleaned out my Mom&#39;s apartment to move her to assisted living. I could not bear to let a few ceramic nicknacks from my childhood home go to the thrift store. They sit on a shelf in my conservatory, but when I look at them I am back at Brill Street.<br /><br />A week after Bernie died, I found myself packing his clothes for the St. Vincent dePaul pickup. Everything went except for his green wool Marine jacket. He would never part with that jacket -- a tiny sized thing that made me wonder just how small he was at age 18. I could not let it go and left it in the closet. Whenever I open that door it&#39;s a sole sentry honoring his memory.<br /><br />If my house burned down I would not grieve for the loss of these items, but for some reason in the moment, they give me a sense of who I am and where I came from. <br /><br />When my next move comes, I don&#39;t know if they will make the &quot;keep&quot; list, but for now, they have meaning.<br /><br />ChrisChris Bradyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03400228290978730369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512607099126623086.post-40535771947404573392015-08-28T08:20:19.718-07:002015-08-28T08:20:19.718-07:00Mimi, I remember the shock and sadness of your sis...Mimi, I remember the shock and sadness of your sister dying so young. <br />And, thank you for your thoughts about my blog. It was exactly what I needed today. I almost didn&#39;t post this one because I didn&#39;t have an answer. Your comment reminds me, that sometimes, just asking the questions is enough. Carol Fragale Brillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02832865888789761328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512607099126623086.post-38101885611715885192015-08-27T20:04:32.219-07:002015-08-27T20:04:32.219-07:00Carol, Your blog always makes me think and makes m...Carol, Your blog always makes me think and makes me feel . I lost many of my loved ones a young age ( twin,mother, grandmother, sister) this has turned me in to a hoarder of anything that reminds me of them. It helps me grieve , even after all these years.You evoke feelings in your readers ; happy, sad, pleasant and unpleasant. Pehaps most of all you inspire us to look within. Thank youMary MacDonald Flanaganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156478819570388290noreply@blogger.com